“Flea’s” Music Legacy Now Preserved at the Sousa Archives

The Gregory Heath Papers were acquired by the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music on February 28, 2014.  Known by his friends as “Flea,” his collection includes photographs, news clippings, contracts, audio and video recordings, address books, and posters documenting Heath’s work as a concert promoter and owner of The Greg Heath Agency while working in Carbondale, Illinois during the 1970s, and Celebrations, a local central Illinois music booking agency located in Danville, Illinois during the 1980s and 1990s.  Music ensembles that were booked and promoted by Heath in central and southern Illinois include such groups as Head East, REO Speedwagon, Finchley Boys, Mighty Pranksters, Night Riders, and Hathaways.  These materials provide a delightful snapshot of the many popular music ensembles that began their careers in central Illinois, and the numerous national acts that toured  throughout Illinois.